ELYRIA — A 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty Friday to aggravated burglary, robbery and theft for an incident in which he forced his way past a judge’s wife during a break-in at the judge’s house earlier this year.
When sentenced later this month, the boy could be sent to the Ohio Department of Youth Services until his 21st birthday, said Doug Messer, Lorain County Family Court administrator.
The boy is one of four Elyria teenagers accused of breaking into the home of Family Court Judge David Basinski in February.
Three of the teens forced their way past the judge’s wife, Ellen Basinski, and one of them took the phone from her. She was talking to her husband at the time and he ordered his staff to call police as he and his bailiff raced to his Columbus Street home.
Meanwhile, Ellen Basinski has said the three boys began to rummage through the house, including her purse. She said she grabbed an Emeril Lagasse saucepan and began to beat one of the robbers with it.
One of the teens, 18-year-old Patrick Kostal, is accused of throwing a bottle of the judge’s Jack Daniel’s whiskey at her, leaving a bruise on her foot before he and his alleged accomplices fled. They were arrested a short time later.
Kostal and 18-year-old William Brown-Nettles, who was 17 at the time of the robbery, are facing adult charges. Both have pleaded not guilty.
A fourth boy, who was 15 and reportedly remained outside the home, also is awaiting trial in juvenile court. His attorney, Kenneth Lieux, has said the 15-year-old left the scene when the other three boys said they were going to rob the Basinski house. Police contend the boy was the lookout. The robbery drew national media attention because of Ellen Basinski fending off her attackers.
Lagasse gave her a new set of cookware while she was doing a call-in interview on “Good Morning America” to replace the pot police took as evidence in the case.
Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.
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